Millwall are in the Championship play-offs for the first time in 24 years – but they have something of a specialist in this format in their side in boss Alex Neil.
The Scot has guided three teams to promotion through the play-offs in his managerial career, guiding Hamilton to the Scottish Premier League, Sunderland to the Championship and – in 2015 – Norwich to the Premier League.
His current side Millwall are favorites to see off Hull City in their semi-final and come to Wembley to face either Southampton or Middlesbrough. The Lions finished third in the championship, and in 17 of the past 20 championship seasons, the third-place team has beaten the sixth-place team in the playoffs.
But Neil knows it’s about delivering in the key moments that matter at this point – regardless of what has gone before.
“I’ve been on both ends of the playoffs where we’ve been considered favorites or we’ve been considered underdogs. I don’t think it matters,” he said. Sky Sports at Millwall’s training ground, where the final preparations for Friday’s trip to the MKM Stadium were made.
Friday 8 May at 19:00
Kick off at 20:00
“It comes down to who plays well on the day. We played Hull twice this season. They beat us in their place. We beat them in their place. And there wasn’t much to the games. So I don’t read into it that way. [of Millwall being favourites].
“It will be the moments that matter.
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Oxford United.
“Anyone have a moment of magic, a bit of quality? Make sure you try to limit the errors and mistakes you make across the game or someone can come up with a big save.
“We certainly have guys across our squad who have that quality and that bit of magic, but equally we have guys who defend their box brilliantly in big moments and we have [Anthony Patterson] in goal so we can make a big save when needed.”
Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson won promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs with Sunderland last season
Patterson was Neil’s goalkeeper as he took Sunderland up from League One via the play-offs and the shot-stopper was a hero for Sunderland again in the Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United last season. Tommy Watson, who scored the winning goal in that game at Wembley, is also on loan at Millwall this season.
Millwall also have the likes of central midfielder Barry Bannan in their ranks, who has had play-off success with Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and that experience could be significant with such high stakes.
“I think as a coach, as a player, the more big games you get used to and you play in, the better it is for you because they’re big atmospheres, they’re big moments,” Neil said. “When there’s intensity and there’s pressure and there’s control, you can handle it.
“The more exposure you get to it, the better.”
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL Podcast looks ahead to the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs.
Millwall finished the regular Championship season with the best away record in the division.
Those performances and results on the road give them the confidence to “attack” this first game in Hull ahead of Monday’s return leg at The Den, says Neil.
“Our away form has been the best in the division so we’re hoping to get a positive result in the first game and then bring it back to The Den. The main thing is to make sure the event doesn’t get the better of us, that will be crucial for both teams.
“I think the biggest difference is that now we play without fear [away from home].
“Home or away, we approach games in the same way. There is no major change in style depending on the venue and that consistency has helped us pick up some brilliant away results.
“From our perspective, we have nothing to lose. It’s about attacking every game and giving our best, just like we have done all season.”
Watch Hull City vs Millwall live on Sky Sports Football from 19 on Friday; kick-off at 20:00.